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Flood-Inundation Maps for the Little Calumet River from Lansing to South Holland, Illinois, 2020

Scientific Investigations Report 2020-5074
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205074

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Abstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for about an 8-mile reach of the Little Calumet River, Illinois, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science website at https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/flood-inundation-mapping-fim-program, depict estimates of the areal extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water levels (stages) at three USGS streamgages: Little Calumet River at South Holland, Ill. (USGS station 05536290); Little Calumet River at Munster, Indiana (USGS station 05536195); and Thorn Creek at Thornton, Ill. (USGS station 05536275). Near-real-time stages at these streamgages may be obtained on the internet from the USGS National Water Information System at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7P55KJN or the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at https://water.weather.gov/ahps/, which also forecasts flood hydrographs at these sites.

Flood profiles were computed for the stream reaches using a one-dimensional unsteady flow step-backwater hydraulic model. The model performance was evaluated using historical streamflow measurements and the most current stage-discharge relations at the USGS streamgages at Little Calumet River at South Holland, Ill.; Little Calumet River at Munster, Ind.; and Thorn Creek at Thornton, Ill. The model was used to compute 24 water-surface profiles at 1-foot intervals referenced to the streamgage datum and ranging from bankfull to about the 0.2-percent annual-exceedance probability flood (500-year recurrence interval flood). The simulated water-surface profiles were then combined with a geographic information system digital elevation model (derived from light detection and ranging data having a 0.6-foot vertical accuracy and a 2-foot horizontal resolution) to delineate the area flooded at each water level.

The availability of these maps, along with internet information regarding current stage from USGS streamgages and forecasted high-flow stages from the National Weather Service, will provide emergency management personnel and residents with information that is critical for flood-response activities such as evacuations and road closures, as well as for postflood recovery efforts.

Suggested Citation

Dunn, A.P., Straub, T.D., and Manaster, A.E., 2020, Flood-inundation maps for the Little Calumet River from Lansing to South Holland, Illinois, 2020: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020–5074, 10 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205074.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Creation of Flood-Inundation-Map Library
  • Development of Flood-Inundation Maps
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Flood-inundation maps for the Little Calumet River from Lansing to South Holland, Illinois, 2020
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2020-5074
DOI 10.3133/sir20205074
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Central Midwest Water Science Center
Description Report: vi, 10 p.; Data Release; Dataset
Country United States
State Illinois
City Lansing, South Holland
Other Geospatial Little Calumet River
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details